Toyota Supra (1994) Review

1994 TOYOTA SUPRA REVIEW

by: BILL RUSS

For a car that started out as a trim package for the compact sporty 1979
Celica the Toyota Supra has come a long way. Since its inception the
Supra has been powered by an inline, or straight six-cylinder engine. As
it matured, not only did its displacement and horsepower increase, but
many new technological advancements were added. Finally, in 1986
the Celica Supra was completely redesigned and emerged as THE
Supra, Toyota's premiere high-performance sports GT coupe. Shortly
thereafter turbo power and anti-lock brakes became available, as did
several other safety and performance oriented features.

In planning for its newest Supra, Toyota's product planners and
engineers got together with several groups of automotive journalists and
asked them penetrating questions concerning what they expected,
desired and required in a modern high-performance sports car. The
results of these interactive sessions had to be modified by the practical
limitations of design, engineering and cost considerations, but the
outcome of that positive information interchange is the 1993 Supra.
Using the same basic 3.0 liter, six cylinder, twin cam, inline engine as its
deluxe Lexus 300 cousins the Supra can be had with or without a
Turbo. Being realistic by nature, I opted for the normally-aspirated
(non-turbo) which is powerful enough (220 hp) for most street-driving
sports car enthusiasts.

COMFORT: The interior environment of the Supra is designed for
travelling long distances at speed and in comfort. However, convenience
and luxury are not overlooked. The front seats are snug fitting and
supportive, while the rear ones are just snug. The large hooded
instrument panel and slanted console clearly display, with a couple of
exceptions, a complete array of instruments and controls. The compact
upgrade AM/FM/CD/cassette 7-speaker sound system performs very
well, except for distant AM stations, but it's controls are placed too low
on the console and the station numbers are hard to read in daylight.
The climate control system easily maintains a comfortable temperature
in the cabin. Travel storage space is at a premium, and the rear seats
must be lowered to carry a golf bag. All of the usual accessories are
powered, and the side mirrors are heated too.

ROADABILITY: The Supra borders on being a Grand Touring machine
and, as such it delivers a firm ride at slow city-driving speeds. As speed
increases the independent suspension system smooths out the ride
somewhat , and at full highway speed or in gear-down drive twiisty
roads it becomes very steady and a real road-holder. A lower center of
gravity improves handling, and to this end Toyota went on a weight
reduction program on this Supra. Among other things the hood and roof
were made of aluminum, the fuel tank utilized plastic and the twin
exhaust was changed to a single outlet. This diet resulted in a Supra
that is about 250 pounds lighter with a one-inch lower center of gravity.
Safety and control is enhanced by dual airbags, four-wheel ventilated
disc brakes with an updated four-channel anti-lock system, plus speed-
sensing power rack-and-pinion steering.

PERFORMANCE: The Supra has always been powered by a straight-
six engine, but changes in displacement and technology have, in the non-
turbo version, doubled the output from 110 to 220 horsepower. The
newest 3.0 liter powerplant features twin cams, 4 valves per cylinder,,
sequential multi-port fuel injection and a special intake manifold system
that improves low-end torque. The transmission of choice is a smooth-
shifting, five-speed, short-throw manual, but for those who drive in
heavy traffic, or don"t like to shift, a four-speed automatic with a
manual shift mode is available.

ECONOMY: EPA ratings are 18 city/23 highway. My overall average
worked out to 19.1 mpg.

CONCLUSIONS: The Supra is Toyota's performance flagship, and the
1993 edition has been designed to present a balanced blend of power,
safety, style and technical advancement.